Bus socket



yMarch 21, 1939. T. MacTwlGGAN BUS SOCKET Filed June 9, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet -INVENTOR Homas/Wacc'agg azz ATTORNEY March 21, 1939. T, MacTwlGGAN 2,151,433

Bus SOCKET Filed June 9, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M @mi Ivan-'Aulnwww ATTO RN EY Patented Mar. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE BUs SOCKET Thomas MacTwiggan, New York, N. Y. Application Juno 9, 193s, serial No. 212,626

6 claims. (o1. 173-324) This invention relates to new and useful im- Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing a provements in a bus socket. shifted position of the parts.

More specifically, the invention proposes the Fig. 8 is a sectional View on the line 8-8 of construction of a bus socket adapted to be used in Fig. 6. connection with junction boxes in marine Work, Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 9-9 of 5 for commercial purposes in theatre signs and Fig. 6. other signs. Fig. 10 is an elevational View of a bus socket Still further it is proposed to characterize the used in conjunction with a sign. bus socket by a plurality of bus bars adapted to Fig. ll is a view looking in the direction of the 10 cross each other at a common point with certain line I l-il on Fig. 10. 10 portions thereof oiTset at various heights for sup- Fig. 12 is a similar view to Fig. 1l but illustratporting a socket. t ing another form of the invention.

A further object of this invention is to char- The bus socket comprises an insulation base l0 acterize the plurality of bus bars by one group for attachment in a junction box or other similar l5 of bus bars extending substantially parallel to object. The base Ii! is formed with a plurality 15 each other, and a second group of bus bars exof openings H through which screws l2 may be tending substantially parallel to each other, and passed for xedly attaching the insulation base the bus bars of the second group crossing the bus to the base Wall of the junction box of other obbars of the rst group. jects. While in the drawings the insulation base Still further it is proposed to characterize the is shown as being circular, it may be constructed 20 bus bars by a plurality of high offset portions for With a square or other differently shaped concontrolling the operation of the socket, and a tours. plurality of 10W offset portions for shunting the A group of substantially parallel bus bars are Socket when so .desired mounted upon the top face of the insulation base Still further it is proposed to provide a means |0- ThiS glOup Of parallel bus bars is char- 25 for rotatively supporting the lamp socket upon acterized by the bus bars i3, i4 and l5. A second the higher of said offset portions so that it may gIOllD Of Substantially parallel bus bars are be rotated thereon to cause the socket to be com mounted upon the insulation base I and nornected with the lower offset portions. mally CIOSS the 'HS glOllp` 0f buS bars. This Still further it is proposed to so construct the Second group 0f bus bars iS ChalaleZfl by 1311 30 bus bar that the socket thereof may be extended bU-S bars l5, VF and i8. The bus bars of each through an Opening formed in the` face of a group are xedly attached to the top face of the sign with the ends of th-e bus bars extending to the inSulOl base by mGaBS 0f rivets IS. The inback thereof in a, manner so, as` to be easily consulation base IU is constructed from separate nectible with the electric leads. layers ma and lill@ and the rivets I9 extend through 35 For further comprehension of the invention, and the laye? la- The 126781 |93 1S Securely atof the objects and advantages thereof reference 'ChSd t0 the lee e 0f the a-yel mav and iS will be had to the following description and acadapted to extend across the rivets I9 for covercompanying drawings, and to the appended claims ing the Stime t0 prever@ the@ fom Coming. in 40 in which the various novel features of the invene contact Wlth the mamme portion? of the rude 40 tion are more particularly Set forth' upon which the insulation base 1s mounted for lin the accompanying drawings forming a rnaprevemmg a short clrc'ult' of L b Y 1 stllelcarelggvods Socket con offset portions i3@ and H52L of a certain depth at 45 F. 2 g, 1 the crossing area and are adapted to be connected tg' 1s. a pla VIEW. F1? with oooh other. Another aus bar of each of the Fig. 3 1s a perspective view similar to FIS. 1 groups, namely the bus bars i5 and i3, are formed W1@ the Socket theeof rem-Wed' with outwardly oset portions It@ and i8@ ar- Fi 4 1.5 a man VeW of Flg- 3- ranged at a different depth at the crossing area 50 .Flg 5 1S a' Sectlona'l new 0n the 11n-e 5 5 0f and are connected with each other. The ccn- Fig.` 1. nection between the bus bars I5 and i8 is. ac-

Fig. 6 1s an elevational View of the bus socket Complished by means 0f a, Screw 2g which constructed according to a modication o1" the threadedly engages through these bus bars at 55 invention. their crossing area (see Fig. 3). 55

fil

A third bus bar of each of said groups, namely the bus bars I4 and I1, are adapted to be connected with each other at their crossing area. The bus bar I1 of this latter pair is formed with an outwardly offset portion I'In which is adapted to extend outwards the same distance as the offset portions I3a and Ila of the first set of bus bars I3 and I6.

A lamp socket 2| is superimposed upon the bus bars at their crossing area. The lamp socket 2| consists of a shell contact 2|n having an insulation member 2|b extended across the bottom thereof. An end contact 2|c forming a part of the lamp socket 2| is positioned upon the insulation member 2|b at the center thereof. An insulation covering 22 is engaged over the outer surface of the shell contact 2|a of the lamp socket and is adapted to be held in position by means of an inwardly extending lug 22a which is adapted to engage into a cutout Im formed in the side of the shell contact 2|.

The lamp socket 2| has its shell cantact 2|n mounted upon and xedly attached to the highest of the pair of bus bars, namely the bus bars I3 and I6. The lamp socket 2| has its end contact 2| C mounted on and connected with the offset portion I1a of the third pair of bus bars I4 and I1. A large screw 23 extends through an opening formed in the end contact 2|c and passes through an aligned opening 24 formed in the offset portion I1a of the bus bar I1. After passing the opening 24 the screw 23 passes downwards through an opening 25 formed in the bus bar I4 and threadedly engages into the portion Ilia of the insulation base I0 for holding the lamp socket in position upon the highest of the bus bars.

A pair of contact screws 26 are threadedly engaged into the free ends of each of the bus bars of both groups of bus bars and are provided for permitting the leads of a live electric wire to be connected thereto. If the leads of a live electric wire are connected one to each of the bus bars I1 and I3, or I4 and I6, the current from this wire will be transmitted to both the shell contact 2|a and the end Contact 2|c oi the lamp socket 2| for lighting a lamp positioned therein. If however it is desired to shunt the lamp socket 2| the same may be accomplished by removing one of the leads and engaging it upon either of the bus bars I5 and I8 for permitting the electricity to pass therethrough. As shown in Fig. 5 the bus bars I 5 and 8 are not connected with any portion of the lamp socket 2| and prevents the electricity passing therethrough from operating on the lamp socket.

According to the modification shown in Figs. 6-9 inclusive provision is made for permitting the lamp socket 2| to be rotated with relation to the bus bars for connecting the shell contact 2|n thereof with the lower bus bars I5 and I8. The insulation member 2|b of the lamp socket 2| is formed with an upwardly extended portion 2| bb over which a cup shaped insulation member 21 is adapted to be telescopically engaged. The end contact 2|c of the lamp socket 2| is positioned upon the top wall of the cup shaped member 21. An expansion spring 28 operates between the top wall of the cup shaped member 21 and an inwardly extending flange 2|', formed on the edge of the insulation member 2lb for urging the insulation member 2|b into an extended position with relation to the cup shaped member 21.

The upwardly extended portion 2|bb of the insulation member 2| b is rotatively engaged into the cup shaped member 21 and the shell contact 2| and the insulation covering 22 is formed with a cutout portion 29 into which the extended portions I3a and I6a of the bus bars I3 and I6 are adapted to extend in a properly rotated position of the lamp socket for permitting the bottom of the deep portion of the lamp socket to engage upon the offset portions I5a and I82L of the bus bars I5 and I8 to complete an electrical circuit therethrough. When the lamp socket is rotated L to its proper position, or one in which the cutout 29 will be aligned with the offset portions 3a and Ia, the expansion spring 28 will expand to cause the insulation member 2 Ib to move away from the cup shaped member 21 to cause the deep portion of the shell contact 2|2L to be engaged upon the offset portions I5a and I8. This insulation member 2|` will remain in its extended position until manually urged therefrom against the holding action of the spring 28.

According to the modification shown in Figs. 9 and 10 provision is made for permitting the bus socket to be used in connection with a sign 30 by extending the lamp socket 2| through an opening 30e formed in the sign with the bus bars normally disposed behind the sign. The ends of the bus bars are bent around the edge of the nsulation base IB and the connection screws 26 are positioned upon the bent around ends to permit them to be easily manipulated for connecting I and disconnecting the leads of the electrical circuit. An insulation member 3| is inserted between the adjacent faces of the sign 3i) and the bus bars for holding the same spaced from the sign for preventing the bus bars from` coming in F" Contact with the sign and cause a short circuit. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous forms.

In Fig. l2, a flange 22a projects from` the insulation covering 22 and is adapted to rest against the cover 3D of a junction box. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous form and the various parts may be recog nized by corresponding reference numerals.

It is to be understood that the lamp sockets 2| i i" may be removed, also interchanged with any other lamp socket when desired.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A bus socket, comprising an insulation base for attachment in a junction box or other article, a group of substantially parallel bus bars mounted on said base, a second group of substantially parallel bus bars mounted on said base and crossing said first group, one bus bar of each of said groups being formed with outwardly offset portions of a certain depth at said crossing area and connected with each other, another bus bar of each of said groups being formed with outwardly offset portion of a different depth at said crossing area and connected with each other, a third bus bar of each of said groups contact mounted on an offset portion of said third pair of bus bars.

2. A bus socket, comprising an insulation base for attachment in a junction box or other article, a group of substantially parallel bus bars mounted on said base, a second group of substantially parallel bus bars mounted on said base and crossing said first group, one bus bar of each of said groups being formed with outwardly offset portions of a certain depth at said crossing area and connected with each other, another bus bar of each of said groups being formed with outwardly offset portion of a different depth at said crossing area and connected with each other, a third bus bar of each of said groups being formed with outwardly offset portions at the said crossing area and connected with each other, a lamp socket superimposed on said crossing area and having its shell mounted on the highest of said pairs of bus bars, and its end contact mounted on an offset portion of said third pair of bus bars, said insulation base being formed from separate layers, said bus bars being fixedly attached to one of said layers by means of rivets passing therethrough, and the other of said layers being securely attached to the free face of said first mentioned layer for covering said rivets to prevent them from coming in contact with the surface upon which said insulation body is mounted for preventing a short circuit.

3. A bus socket, comprising an insulation base for attachment in a junction box or other article, a group of substantially parallel bus bars mounted on said base, a second group of substantially parallel bus bars mounted on said base and crossing said rst group, one bus bar of each of said groups being formed with outwardly offset portions of a certain depth at said crossing area and connected with each other, another bus bar of each of said groups being formed with outwardly offset portion of a different depth at said crossing area and connected with each other, a third bus bar of each of said groups being formed with outwardly offset portions at the said crossing area and connected with each other, a lampl socket superimposed on said crossing area and having its shell mounted on the highest of said pairs of bus bars, and its end contact mounted on an offset portion of said third pair of bus bars, said lamp socket being held in position upon the offset portions of said bus bars by means of a screw passing through the offset portions of said third pair of bus bars through said end contact and threadedly engaged into said insulation base.

4. A bus socket comprising an insulation base for attachment in a junction box or other object, a group of substantially parallel bus bars mounted on said base, a second group of substantially parallel bus bars mounted on said base and crossing said first group, one busbar of each of said groups being formed with outwardly offset portions of a certain depth at said crossing area and connected with each other, another bus bar of each of said groups being formed with outwardly offset portions of a different depth at said crossing area and connected with each other, a third bus bar of each of said groups being formed with outwardly offset portions at the said crossing area and connected with each other, a lamp socket superimposed on said crossing area and having its end contact rotatively connected with the offset portion of said third pair of bus bars and having a shell contact formed with a cutout at its bottom with the deep area thereof normally resting on the highest of said pairs of bus bars and in a turned position adapted to have its shallow area resting on the highest of said pairs of bus bars, and its deep area resting on the lower pair of said pairs of bus bars, and a resilient means urging said socket downwards.

5. A bus socket comprising an insulation base for attachment in a junction box or other object,

group of substantially parallel bus bars mounted on said base, a second group of substantially parallel bus bars mounted on said base and crossing said rst group, one bus bar of each of said groups being formed with outwardly offset pore tions of a certain depth at said crossing area and connected with each other, another bus bar of each of said groups being formed with outwardly oiiset portions of a different depth at said crossing area and connected with each other, a third bus bar of each of said groups being formed with outwardly offset portions at the said crossing area and connected with each other, a lamp socket superimposed on said crossing area and having its end contact rotatively connected with the offset portion of said third pair of bus bars and having a shell contact formed with a cutout at its bottom with the deep area thereof normally resting on the highest of said pairs of bus bars and in a turned position adapted to have its shallow area resting on the highest of said pairs of bus bars, and its deep area resting on the lower pair of said pairs of bus bars, and a resilient means urging said socket downwards, said resilient means comprising an upwardly extended portion forrned on a portion of said lamp socket, a cup shaped member telescopically engaged over said upwardly extended portion, and an expansion 'spring operating between a ortion of said cup shaped member and said socket for urging said socket downwardly with relation to said cup shaped member.

6. A bus socket, comprising 'an insulation base for attachment in a junction box or other article, a group of substantially paralel bus bars mounted on said base, a second group of substantially parallel bus bars mounted on said base and crossing said first group, one bus bar of each of said groups being formed with outwardly offset portions of a certain depth at said crossing area and connected with each other, another bus bar of each of said groups being formed with outwardly offset portion of a different depth at said crossing area and connected with each other, a third bus bar of each of said groups being formed with outwardly offset portions at the said crossing area and connected with each other, a lamp socket superimposed on said crossing area and having its shell mounted on the highest of said pairs of bus bars, and its end contact mounted on an offset portion of said third pair of bus bars, said bus bars being provided at their ends with a pair of contact screws for permitting the leads of an electric circuit to be connected thereto, said bus bars having their ends bent around the edge of said insulation base and said contact screws being positioned upon the bent around ends to permit said bus socket to be used on a sign or other similar article with the lamp socket thereof extending through an opening formed in said sign.

THOMAS MACTWIGGAN. 

